What's in a Name?

In 2016, the Salt Lake City Council unanimously voted to rename the busy stretch of 900 South Harvey Milk Boulevard after the San Francisco politician and gay activist who was assassinated in 1978. During Harvey Milk’s time in office, he influenced and inspired a new generation to publicly celebrate who they are and who they love.

Continuing Milk’s legacy, the 900 South neighborhood has been a long-time haven for gay-owned businesses. Among the longest standing is Cahoots Cards & Gifts, operated by members of the LGBTQ+ community for over 35 years. Right next door is Coffee Garden, one of the oldest coffee shops in Salt Lake, opened in 1993. Club Try-Angles also joined the queer scene in 2002, hosting drag shows and other events.

Places to See on Ninth South

9th and 9th is a central location on 900 South with restaurants, shops, desserts, and public art. The neighborhood hosts an annual street festival on the second Saturday after Labor Day.

Near 900 South is Liberty Wells Historic District, a collection of residential blocks with homes converted into commercial spaces. The many local businesses offer brunch, drinks and a short walk to Liberty Park.

Similarly, the Maven District offers a community of women-owned businesses geared towards wellness and comfort that aim to diversify and strengthen Salt Lake.

THE QUIRKY

The Legendarium

The Legendarium is a queer-owned bookstore and coffee shop specializing in fiction, fantasy, and horror. They offer Dungeons & Dragons nights, a banned book club, and a Discord community for online gamers.

Tinker’s Cat Cafe

Tinker’s Cat Cafe offers food and drinks, paint classes and, of course, cats. Make a reservation online to meet, pet and adopt the cats that reside at the cafe!

Kissing Whiskey Vintage

Etsy shop–turned–brick-and-mortar Kissing Whiskey Vintage allows patrons to shop around, but also holds events and classes to educate people on the benefits of second-hand consumption.

9th & 9th Book and Music Gallery

This hidden gem is a swap shop for vintage records, unique guitars, and local art. They offer free community art classes and often host small concerts in the front of the store.

ENSO Piercing and Adornment

ENSO sports an array of high-quality, unique jewelry for a multitude of piercings. Body piercers have great reviews and also ensure safe ear piercings for kids.

 THE ARTSY

“Out of the Blue”

Breaching out of the roundabout on 900 South, the 23-foot multicolored whale is said to be a symbol of community and resilience. The sculpture was created by local artist Stephen Kesler and has quickly become an iconic symbol of SLC—it even has its own Twitter profile.

Randy’s Records

A main stop for music lovers in the valley looking for physical media, Randy’s is Utah’s oldest independent vinyl store and is still family-owned 45 years later. 

Tower Theatre

Though temporarily closed for renovations, Tower Theatre has been showcasing indie flicks for diverse audiences over the past 20 years, and is a neighborhood icon - including acting as a venue for past Sundance Film Festivals.

Murals

Many public art walls are scattered around the area, such as the vibrant Maven District art wall painted by predominantly woman artists. Other murals include Queen Ursa by Chris Peterson, Rainbow Swirl by Sara Lowe, and Two Fish by Josh Scheuerman.

Art Haus

Located in the Maven District, Art Haus provides themed art classes for all ages in a range of mediums, inspiring creativity and helping people discover new passions.

Salt & Honey Market

Salt & Honey Market, whose name plays on two of Utah’s most well-known associations — the Great Salt Lake and the Beehive State — offers handmade goods from rotating vendors. Owners Nicole Choules and Ashley Collette help other creative women entrepreneurs achieve success.

THE DELICIOUS

Manoli’s

Offering a variety of Greek cuisine, Manoli’s focuses on using local products to provide a fine dining experience for brunch and dinner, including an extended drink menu and an outdoor patio. Manoli’s has won awards highlighting their exceptional and modern take on Greek flavors.

Pizza Nono

Pizza Nono creates specialty, artisan flatbread pizzas. They offer live music on summer nights and can accommodate large groups as well as takeout for a night in! Vegetarian and gluten-free options are also available here.

Laziz Kitchen

This modern Mediterranean restaurant began as a homemade hummus business and has since expanded into a local favorite. Laziz Kitchen is a proud queer business, owned by state senator Derek Kitchen, that boasts an award-winning dining experience.

VENETO Ristorante Italiano

This remarkable restaurant feels like you're dining in someone's home with a warm ambiance, impeccable service, and dedication to quality. VENETO offers a sublime dining experience, marrying tradition with innovation. With a commitment to authentic Italian flavors and fresh, locally sourced ingredients, each dish tells a story of culinary excellence. 

Tsunami Sushi

Since its opening in 2002 at 9th and 9th, Tsunami Sushi has been a proud locally-owned favorite. They ensure fresh fish, beautiful presentation, and waste reduction through biodegradable straws and to-go boxes.

Vertical Diner

Since 1998, this vegan diner has been home to the famous Dude Cakes—stuffed pancakes with veggies smothered in gravy. Named after the vertical landscape of the Rocky Mountains, Vertical Diner serves breakfast all day.

Pig & A Jelly Jar

The name of this local favorite comes from their two main offerings: breakfast and homemade jelly. Pig & A Jelly Jar serves southern-inspired brunch dishes such as Chicken & Waffles and Ham Hash. A portion of proceeds always go to food-centered nonprofits.

THE FUN​

The 999 Ride

Every Thursday, hundreds of bikers, skaters, and rollerbladers meet at the corner of 900 South and 900 East at 9 p.m. to skate together and explore different routes through the city. The free social ride is organized informally through social media.

East Liberty Tap House

Open seven days a week, this tap house with a patio serves an impressive drink list, including ever-changing specials and a variety of high quality food items with plenty of vegan and gluten-free options.

The Juice Shop

This juicery in the Maven District provides products that promote energy and wellness. Their drink menu includes cold-pressed juices, wellness shots, smoothies, and hot beverages as well as grain bowls, avocado toasts, and other nutritious snacks.

Milk+

This LGBTQ+ bar named after Harvey Milk Boulevard calls itself “Utah’s most inclusive hangout spot,” holding weekly karaoke and wine nights. Milk+ is a great place for patrons to enjoy a safe and carefree night of dancing and celebration.

Chubby Baker

This Asian-American dessert shop is fueled by passion and appreciation for the art and science of baking. Filled donuts—the shop’s specialty—are guaranteed to be ready everyday at 1 p.m. alongside cakes, coffees, and other sweet drinks!

Pie Fight

Pie Fight offers over 10 unique flavors of hand pies that vary from sweet to savory, including Classic Cherry, Macaroni and Cheese, Mini Boston Cream and Tomato Caprese. You can order at their walk-up window and continue on with pie in hand—no fork needed.

Scion Cider Bar

The name “Scion Cider” plays on the Biblical concept of Zion often associated with Mormonism, and the bar features a constantly rotating lineup of over 23 draft ciders with other beers and apple-based spirits.